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Philadelphia Off the Beaten Path

The Washington D.C. Metro area has been my home for the last three years. I am originally from the UK but now live in the U.S. with my wife and daughter.
I love to travel and am always keen to get up close to new cultures and foods. Only local knowledge can unlock those truly special travel experiences.

With so much history running through Philadelphia, it's no surprise there are a few hidden gems off the well-beaten tourist trail. Many of the attractions in this list are generally quieter and less well known than some of the other sights in the city.

Good for

History Buff

Art and Architecture Lover

Nature Lover

Peace and Quiet Seeker

Like a Local

7 Places

4 City Tips

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Map

7 Places

Philadelphia's Magic Gardens

Art Galleries

Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site

Historic Sites

Boathouse Row

Architectural Buildings, Neighbourhoods

Eastern State Penitentiary

History Museums

Shofuso Japanese House and Garden

Architectural Buildings, Historic Sites, Gardens, Parks

Independence Seaport Museum

History Museums, Speciality Museums

Mutter Museum

Science Museums, Speciality Museums

Philadelphia's Magic Gardens

1020 South St, Philadelphia, PA 19147-1936

Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site

532 N 7th St, Philadelphia, PA 19123-3502

Boathouse Row

Kelly Dr., E. Fairmount Park, Philadelphia, PA 19130

Eastern State Penitentiary

2124 Fairmount Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19130-2603

Shofuso Japanese House and Garden

Horticultural and Lansdowne Drs., Philadelphia, PA 19131

Independence Seaport Museum

211 S Columbus Blvd., Philadelphia, PA 19106-3199

Mutter Museum

19 S 22nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19103-3001

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Philadelphia's Magic Gardens

Art Galleries

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Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site

Historic Sites

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Boathouse Row

Architectural Buildings, Neighbourhoods

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Eastern State Penitentiary

History Museums

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▲

Shofuso Japanese House and Garden

Architectural Buildings, Historic Sites, Gardens, Parks

▼

▲

Independence Seaport Museum

History Museums, Speciality Museums

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▲

Mutter Museum

Science Museums, Speciality Museums

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Stephen C's City Tips

Philadelphia is a fantastic walking city, and best experienced on foot.

Streets are based on a grid design.

The Phlash shuttle bus runs between Penn's Landing and the Philadelphia Museum of Art every 15 minutes. There are single-ride and all-day tickets available.

Bus, subway, and trolley all require tokens or exact change.

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Philadelphia's Magic Gardens

Art Galleries

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Stephen C Says:

You'll find an interior gallery space and an outdoor labyrinth of mosaics and artwork at Philadelphia's Magic Gardens. Local artist Isaiah Zagar began constructing the space out of discarded items in the 1960s. He didn't own the land at the time, but an outpouring of community support led to the creation of a non-profit organization and the opportunity to purchase and maintain the space. You can find a large body of Zagar's work distributed throughout the South Street corridor.

Good for

Art and Architecture Lover

Hidden Gems

Tips

To see more of Isaiah Zagar's work join a neighborhood walking tour, April-October.

This house was leased by American author Edgar Allan Poe for a brief period in 1843. Outside, there is a statue of a large raven, representing one of his most famous poems, 'The Raven' (not written here). Though Poe lived in several homes in Philadelphia, this is the only one that survives.

Walk, run, jog, or bike along Kelly Drive and you'll pass through Boathouse Row, a collection of social and rowing clubs with a long history. This is a popular spot among locals for exercising and getting out in the fresh air.

Good for

Peace and Quiet Seeker

Art and Architecture Lover

Like a Local

Tips

Bikes for hire at 1 Boathouse Row.

Visit at night to see the lights! Best viewed from the Schuylkill Expressway.

This is a former American prison, operational from 1829 to 1971. Notable inmates were Willie Sutton and Al Capone. The structure was built with the Quaker-inspired belief that solitary confinement could reform criminals, and its wagon-wheel design inspired a number of other prisons.

Good for

Peace and Quiet Seeker

History Buff

Art and Architecture Lover

Tips

Dress appropriately for the weather.

Accessible via the Philadelphia Phlash route.

A scavenger hunt activity guide is offered here, free with admission for children ages 7-12.

The collection you will see at this medical history museum was originally gathered for the purpose of biomedical research and education. Abnormal body parts preserved in fluid and the tallest skeleton on display in North America are just a few of the items on display. The College of Physicians of Philadelphia continues to add to the collection.